February 25 – “Ash Wednesday”

We ended up having to use the internet at Kel's again today.  I called to see about an air card.  They can't (or won't) simply reactivate the one I have.  That would be too simple.  Now we have to go into a store or online   Tonight we had an Ash Wednesday service at church.  We got there early so we could get everything set up. We had pretzels for communion bread.  They were made as a reminder of: 1) love (heart-shaped), 2) the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (three holes), and hands folded in prayer.  We also had to set up chairs, burn the palm fronds to get ashes for the administration of ashes ceremony, sweep a lot of dirt off the floor, move desks, put away tables, set up chairs, empty trash, eat supper with Mike & Cindy.    Here's a random thought for you.  Sometimes I don't want to hear about anything that has anything to do with the church.  It's usually gossip or negative or out and out complaining anyway.  Sometimes I just want to watch a movie or read a book or just sit around and do nothing without the specter of preparing next week's sermon or Thursday's school lesson or returning yet another phone call from someone wanting to come Spring Break or Summer and do relief work or trying to explain why a group that promised help has never showed up. Volunteers are a unique group.  Some are phenomenal and deserve to have a Daily News article written about them.  Others … not so much.   I know I just used this Scripture not too long ago, but it's late and I am exhausted emotionally and just plain tired physically.  It fits.   Isaiah 40:28-31 says, "Do you not know?  Have you not heard?  The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth.  He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom.  He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.  Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.  They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."   Father, I feel like fainting right now.  Help me sleep.  I know it usually feels better in the morning.  Amen.